We all know how difficult most anemones are to maintain, so what a relief to find a species not only easy to keep but quick to multiply.....WRONG! Aiptasia anemones are the proverbial wolves in sheep's clothing. They have a prodigious sting capable of killing (as a prelude to eating) small fish and even larger fish…
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Brown or Planaria Flatworms – Convolutriloba retrogemma
Question: How do you turn an aquarium brown, that was once full of colour? Answer: Introduce a few brown flatworms! As unlikely as this may sound to those who have no experience of this menace, it is alarmingly true. Although flatworms of this species are only a few millimetres in length they can reproduce both…
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Amphipods and Copepods
Amphipods are a catch-all title for tiny crustaceans generally found feeding amongst the detritus at the bottom of an aquarium, within the filters, or even on the front glass. They are easily identified as shrimp-like creatures up to one centimetre in length, half-moon in shape and grey in coloration. (more…)
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Giant Elephant Ear Polyps – Rhodactis
These sedentary creatures are often regarded as beautiful and desirable invertebrates for the reef aquarium; but beware, there can be a high price to pay! Large polyps of this nature are highly predatory on fish and crustacea. (more…)
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Mantis Shrimps and Pistol Shrimps
Like its terrestrial neighbour, The Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus spp.) is a dangerous and cunning predator. It secretes itself in holes within living rock and more often than not finds its way into the aquarium via that same route. Indeed, some consignments of living rock can be so dense with them that one can be found…
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Bristleworms Class: Polychaeta
Anyone whose hand has ever come into contact with a bristleworm will tell you that they leave fine, barbed hairs embedded in the skin, causing a rash and an irritation somewhat like a nettle. Whilst this may prove a relatively minor inconvenience to the aquarist, bristleworms are not only scavengers but predators which can damage…
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